dana 44 vs dana 50

[pitsingerk]

This isn't an engine question, but I think someone here can help me. I have a 90 F250, 7.3L, 5spd, 4x4. The Dana 44 in the front is giving me issues, needs completely rebuilt as far as steering and axles and seals. My budy is scrapping his 94 F250 with an almost completely rebuilt Dana 50 in the front. My question here is, will the Dana 50 independent front end fit in place of the Dana 44?

[GIMAMMOTH]

dont wast your time... save for a dana 60..

[pitsingerk]

I realize the Dana 60 is way to go, but money is tight, the Dana 50 is free and I know it's history. My truck isn't a mud runner or made to beat on. It's my work / plow truck. I just need something realiable. If the Dana 50 will bolt right in it would be the best economically.

[GIMAMMOTH]

what axle are u running now? a indepent 44?

[Twinjracing]

The dana 50 is in short a 44 center with 60 outers joints are 60 ball jornt are stronger but center gears are 44 I under stand free and the outer are an up grade with beter ujoints wich with my plowing is what i change most. the 60 is best but a free 50 is beter then a broke or wore out 44.

[GIMAMMOTH]

the old indpentent 44s an 50s will enter change...

[pitsingerk]

thanks for the help guys

[side2002]

for what its worth, ive run the dana 50 on my trail rig f-250 for 10 years without shatterin anything. truck sees 50% road, 50% dirt/mud/rocks. i always catch flak from other guys "man why dont you get rid of that junky ifs". . .while its obviously not as strong as a d60, its plenty strong enough. as was said it is direct replacement.

[Twinjracing]

I've run the 50 with a 7.3 powerstroke the last three years plowing and every day driving I live i northwest IN in the lake efect snow belt We can get 1" or 24" just depends on the lake and I'm running a 9.2 v plow on 3/4 trucks Little heavy but it works good and I was doing big lots (at least eight or more hours) so not easey on it on the 50's never had a ujoint go bad. The 44 or i hate to say it Gm 10 bolt every two to three months. but that was a smaller v plow on gm stright alxe 1/2 and 3/4.

[FordGuy100]

The TTB axles get a wrap for being weak. It's true they aren't as strong as a solid Dana 60, but they do fine. Your truck should have a Dana 50. They stopped putting Dana 44 TTB's in F-250's in 87 I thought.

Also. You can always weld the axle and make it a solid. It has been done before.